Liverpool’s “player of the year” has attracted the attention of French Champions Paris St. Germain, who are keen on bringing the Brazilian to the Parc Des Princes as they brace themselves for another big spending summer.
Philippe Coutinho has been a crucial part of a Liverpool team in transition over the past few years following the departures of key figures in the side like Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard. An £8.5 million acquisition from Inter Milan in 2013, the 23-year-old was an important player for Brendan Rodgers, and also sits pretty in Jurgen Klopp’s plans for the side.
The midfielder is now the subject of a bid from Ligue 1 champions PSG as the French side look to add more quality and variety into their midfield. French reports led by Le10 Sport claim the Parisians have sounded out Coutinho’s agent and are expected to table a move for the Brazilian once he returns from the Copa America competition with his national side. It is also reported that two other European heavyweights are keeping their watch on the youngster who has already made 145 appearances in 2 and a half years at Anfield. In that period, Coutinho has scored 28 goals and assisted 28 others for Liverpool and has endeared himself to the fans with his abilities, skill and passion.
The ‘little magician’ has a contract with the Reds that runs up to 2020, having signed a contract extension on February 2015. The Reds have thwarted previous advances for their attacking midfielder, from the likes of Manchester City, establishing that “the player was not for sale”. The youngster has expressed his desire in the past to stay with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool and be a part of the German’s Anfied project. However with Champions League on offer at cubs like PSG, Coutinho may still get enticed by a big money move to the Ligue 1 winners.
PSG bid adieu to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and look set to lose the likes of Cavani and Pastore this summer. So in a summer revamp, Laurant Blanc looks to have identified Coutinho and Eden Hazard as a good addition to the midfield to service the front-men. Hazard is also interested in staying on at Chelsea and fight for his place under incoming manager Antonio Conte next season. That said, the Parisians could go all-out to secure the services of Coutinho through the summer as they look to strengthen their side to mount realistic challenge for the Champions’ League next time around. Thus in hindsight, it looks like the Reds will have a crucial summer trying to hold on to their key players while they dispose the deadwood and bring in suitable reinforcements in necessary positions.
